Coyotes Head Coach Dave Tippett did not rule out the returns of injured defensemen Ed Jovanovski and Zbynek Michalek for tonight’s game against the Flames at Pengrowth Saddledome.

“They’re very close,” Tippett said after Wednesday’s morning skate. “We’ll talk to them (before the game) and see where they’re at.”

Jovanovski and Michalek have missed eight and nine games, respectively, because of lower-body injuries.
Meanwhile, Tippett said center Martin Hanzal definitely would be back in the lineup after missing Monday’s 4-0 loss at Edmonton because of a lower-body injury.

Hanzal

Hanzal is eager to play against former coach Brent Sutter, the man he credits with helping him get to the NHL so quickly. Sutter is head coach of the Calgary Flames.

Hanzal played for Sutter in 2006-07 for Red Deer of the Western Hockey League.

"He was my first coach when I came over here from Europe and he was very tough on me because he knew I was kind of lazy," Hanzal said through a big smile after Wednesday's morning skate. "That was a huge year for me."

We are in the middle of a sports media storm here in Calgary what with the CFL's Grey Cup game between Montreal and Saskatchewan coming up in this city on Sunday.

I have to admit I'm getting Grey Cup Fever.

Tippett was asked which team he thinks will win.

"Saskatchewan all the way!" he exclaimed. Tippett was born in Moosomin, Saskatchewan and said he used to attend his fair share of Roughriders games.